ramonortiz55 4runner build: La Venenosa - For Sale!

Nice write up.
Luckily the 4runner I just bought doesn't have the power antenna.
I really don't listen to the radio all that much anyway I might just
remove the dam thing all together

 

Thanks, still need to clean it up. Some pictures didn't come out right

 

So I don't like the fact I cant charge my phone while the truck is off. So I decided on a mod that would enable all power outlets to be always on.

First I found the power outlet relay under the hood in the fuse box.



I pull it out and grab a small flat head screwdriver.



Next I pop off the relay cover with the flat head screwdriver.





See where the flathead screwdriver is poking at? There is a little spring/magnet there. Normally, it will be open. If I stick the screwdriver in there I can "swing" the spring/magnet to close onto a contact.
You need to lift that little spring/magnet thing and slide something non conductive there so that the circuit is always closed.



I wedged a piece of non conductive material in there to keep the relay on at all times. Don't worry, it wont catch on fire. Ive had this mod in my Tacoma and camry for a few years already.

 

I have planned a bunch of goodies for my 4runner. So I decided to jump on board and get a separate fuse box to wire all my accessories to. Therefore I bought @skygear relay/fusebox on tacomaworld and a @Yotamac panel to house the fuse box.



Everyone and their momma tends to slap the auxiliary fuse boxes on the driver's side of the engine compartment for the tacomas. Well...no can do for the 2001 4runner. Too much junk.



Driver's side looks clear!



Upon laying out the @Yotamac panel, I realized some stuff HAD to move. This secondary fuse box and that wire harness/plug device thingamachiger right next to it (I don't know what it is).



I unbolted both of them:



I move the fuse box towards the front, luckily I had enough wiring to allow me to move it to an existing threaded hole that was the exact measurement as the previous location (you can see the outline of its original location on the second hole to the right).



Looks like I will have to drill a hole for the fuse box leg.



Picked up some bolts, washers and nuts:



Marked and drilled a hole to set the fuse box leg:



You can see the nut and bottom of bolt from the fender side:



I did the same for the thingamachiger, just making sure it is away from the proposed location of my auxiliary fuse box:



This windshield wiper hose needs to move. I removed it from here and plan to run it under the new auxiliary fuse box:



That brass looking bracket needs to move also. See the grommet at the corner? That's where the wiring is going to penetrate to get into the cab.



I relocated the bracket and its wiring to this location, not too far from its original spot. Yes, I know, the bracket is on its side



After I relocated everything I used the available threaded holes to do a hole layout on the @Yotamac plate:



Drill and set the @skygear box:





Tada!





Wired my ground:



At this time, I did not wire to the battery since I do not have any switches or accessories.

So now to run the wiring into the cabin.

I taped a straightened out hanger to the end of the wiring to poke through the grommet and help me guide the wiring into the cabin



Removed the plastic bottom door trim and side kick panel on the passenger side:





Removed glove compartment (picture from one of my other mods) by pressing in on the sides:

 

I then remove the top trim of the glove compartment by removing three bolts, one on each side, and one in the center (not shown):





I then poke the wire through the engine compartment grommet and locate it near the bottom kick panel area:



I pull the wiring through (don't ask about the glove compartment):



The tricky part now is to fish the wiring back neatly towards the radio/switch panel area. I did this by slowly feeding the wiring back up towards the airbag housing.

On the right of the glove compartment, there is this hole:



I stuffed my hand to receive the end of the wire and pull it towards the airbag housing.



Feeding the wire behind the airbag housing/module:



I removed the radio (see my other mods on instructions to remove radio) and fed the wiring thru:



Finally!





Time to solder the switchbacks! Good thing @skygear color coded all the wires for easy fool proof connections.



A few soldered connections later...



And now I feed the wiring back to the radio location:



Reinstall radio, kick panels, trim, yada yada, etc

For those that don't know what I am doing, I provided the wiring for future switched accessories.

The newly installed switchbacks are housed behind the switch blanks, ready to install new switches

 

These babies are on their way

 

so my battery died over the weekend.

I think it is time to invest in a deep cycle battery.

I don't think I can afford to buy two at the moment. Well I can, I just want to focus on other mods right now.

Ill buy the second for a dual battery setup when I get my winch installed.

Here is something that will help me and maybe others pick a deep cycle batterie:

 

Oh, I purchased a set of scepters from @TinkyWinky . I might go back to him and purchase another water can sometime. These things are more awesome than I thought.

 

at my front door today ^-^

 

Thanks for the shout out, Ramon, I'm glad you are happy with the cans!

 

no problem. might take you up on a second watercan in the next couple of weeks. @TinkyWinky

 

So today I was able to do some maintenance work on the 4runner. I decided to replace the air filter, fuel filter and PCV valve.

air filter and PCV valve replacement are straight forward.

Went ahead and did a write up for replacing the fuel filter on a 3rd gen 4runner.

Relieve fuel pressure by opening fuel door and gas cap and leave open for about 20 minutes.

The fuel filter is located on the driver's side of the 4runner, in the area of the driver's door.

Taking a peek below, there will be a dust shield. Remove the dust shield.





Once the dust shield has been removed, this will reveal the fuel filter:



The fuel filter would have to be removed by loosening two flare nuts: one on each end.



Once these are loosened, remove two nuts holding the fuel filter and carefully pull out the fuel lines, one side at a time. At this moment you should be able to pull the fuel filter and fuel filter bracket assembly off the bottom of the 4runner.





Comparing both new and used filters:



Install is reverse of removal.

I would suggest, install the flare nuts FIRST. The flared fuel lines need to sit in the filter perfectly straight to make sure it doesn't leak. Once the flare nuts are tightened, turn on the 4runner and check for leaks.

If no leaks are present, install the nuts that hold the fuel filter bracket to the bottom of the 4runner and dust shield.

 

My battery on the 4runner went out last week. Took advantage of the opportunity and bought a deep cycle battery.
Picked up an Exide from a mom and pop battery store for $175 out the door.

Also finished a 1st stage wiring upgrade from @BamaToy1997 and installed it over the weekend. Pretty legit and nice craftsmanship from @BamaToy1997 . The wiring is a little different from the 1st gen taco, but overall it is pretty straight forward.

In the next couple of weeks I should get a high output alternator.

 

Picked up a transcooler to prevent the strawberry milkshake issue:



Ordered some misc maintenance parts from camelback Toyota:



^^^ Timing belt, Water pump, PCV valve and the mass airflow thing.

When I bought the ARB locker and compressor it didn't come with any air hose. Thanks to @07trd4x4 , I was able to get one in the mail today.

 

This came in today

Thanks to @allpro and @Tracy@All-Pro Off Road for helping us out with the group buy!

 

Awesome!! Thank you for your help!

 

You welcome!

 

Subbed.

 

@skygear



question:

In the pictures above, the red switchback has a red wire coming out of it. I believe you told me this was an always hot wire.

If I want to connect an accessory to this, do I have to put an inline fuse on this? There's five relays and six switchbacks, so I am confused in regard of me needing an inline fuse to connect the accessory.

@tacodane and i were trying to figure it out awhile back but we were confused.

@Madjik_Man might be interested in this also

 

my suspension just came in today!
took advantage of a great group buy for significant savings!